The Africa Youth Change-Maker Award
Peace First is proud to partner with the EMY Africa Awards, a prestigious platform that celebrates excellence and leadership across the African continent, to introduce the Youth Changemaker Award. This new accolade is dedicated to recognizing and honoring exceptional young leaders who are making transformative contributions to peace-building and social change within their communities. By joining forces with EMY Africa, we aim to elevate the voices and efforts of these young changemakers, fostering a spirit of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating a lasting, positive impact across Africa.
It is crucial to celebrate young leaders today, not just when they reach adulthood. In Africa, where the median age is among the youngest in the world, the creativity and energy of youth are driving the continent forward in extraordinary ways. By honoring their achievements now, we send a powerful message that their contributions are not just the future, but the present. Recognizing young changemakers at this stage not only validates their work but inspires others to take action and invest in youth-led initiatives. Waiting until these leaders are older diminishes the urgency and significance of the challenges they are already addressing with innovation and courage. This partnership reflects a deep commitment to empowering the next generation, showing that young people are not just leaders in the making—they are leaders today, and their contributions are shaping Africa’s future.
Emmanuel Ndip Ojong, Cameroon – Emmanuel Ndip Ojong, the trailblazing founder of Charity Against Hunger (CAH) from Cameroon, is fervently committed to eradicating poverty and bolstering food security and clean water access in low-income communities, impacting over 10,000 lives. With a solid background in water resources and energy engineering, Emmanuel initiated CAH in 2017, propelled by first-hand experiences with communities afflicted by high illiteracy, climate-induced challenges, and conflicts. His innovative approaches, combining technology and hands-on aid, particularly through the Awake program and the Bright Future Program, provide essential sustenance and educational support to marginalized families, orphanages, and conflict-affected areas, emphasizing the transformative power of education and entrepreneurship. Ndip’s unwavering dedication and strategic solutions continue to forge sustainable pathways and hope for countless individuals in Cameroon.
Menna Zayed, Egypt – Menna Zayed, hailing from Egypt, fervently advocates for public health and climate justice, steadfastly addressing systemic crises to mold a healthier, sustainable future. Menna’s commitment is deeply rooted in empowering youth through transformative education and advocacy, collaborating with diverse organizations globally to bolster sustainability, policy insight, peacebuilding, and public health understanding. Beyond youth empowerment, she pioneers in enlightening healthcare professionals on the intertwined realms of planetary health and sustainability within healthcare frameworks, fostering equitable and sustainable practices. Additionally, Menna is a distinguished facilitator in peacebuilding, conducting workshops to cultivate inclusion and compassion within communities. Through her unwavering dedication to advocacy and education, she stands as a beacon of transformative change, aiming to harmonize health, justice, and sustainability globally.
Kenndicta A-ensonga Ajene, Ghana – Kenndicta A-ensonga Ajene is a passionate advocate for bridging Ghana’s North-South divide that marked her upbringing, addressing issues such as poverty and limited access to essential amenities. During her time at the University of Ghana, she seized every opportunity to volunteer for causes dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged. In 2020, she founded the A-ensonga Hearts Foundation, initially focusing on enhancing the quality and accessibility of education for children in deprived communities. This mission has expanded to include providing potable water, renovating schools, supplying educational materials, and facilitating mentorship and counseling sessions through local and international partnerships. Kenndicta’s endeavors have resulted in reduced distances for water access, increased school enrollments and retention, empowered children and youth, and enhanced learning environments, marking substantial strides toward equitable resource distribution and community upliftment in Ghana.
Hamza Haki EL KHARROUBI, Morocco – Hamza Haki EL KHARROUBI, a multifaceted changemaker from Morocco, orchestrates innovative collaborations to address social and environmental inequities through his national NGO, training youth in social innovation. As the youth representative in his city’s commune council and within the European Union via Jeel Connect, he is a resounding voice for youth rights and represents Moroccan youth interests avidly. Beyond advocacy, Haki delves into Eco-criticism as a doctoral researcher and contributes significantly to UNESCO’s Youth As Researchers Team, developing climate adaptation strategies for the Arab world. As the Founder and CEO of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Technologies, he pioneers sustainable agricultural solutions, intertwining entrepreneurship, research, and civic engagement to broaden his impact and fortify his commitment to resolving complex societal challenges.
Oluwaseyi Moejoh, Nigeria – Oluwaseyi Moejoh, a young visionary environmentalist from Nigeria, is fervently driving change, tackling plastic pollution, and fostering youth development across Africa. As the Executive Director of U-recycle Initiative Africa, she advances a circular economy, environmental sustainability, and climate action, engaging over 10,000 youths across Nigeria and Africa. Oluwaseyi, the sole African Contributing Editor for OH-Wake Magazine, a non-profit media platform built for young global leaders. She also represents the Captain Planet Foundation at the United Nations Department of Global Communications, influencing the global discourse on youth-centric issues. Her impactful work has earned her myriad accolades, including The Diana Award and a recognition as a National Geographic Young Explorer. Featured on numerous global media platforms, she balances her advocacy with academic pursuits in Law at the University of Lagos. She holds a certification in Nonprofit Leadership from Lagos Business School. Oluwaseyi’s innovative endeavors and unwavering dedication inspire legions to effectuate substantial positive change in their communities.
Walter Martin Okwir, Uganda – Walter Martin Okwir, a passionate advocate from Uganda, is the dynamic founder of Youth Inclusion and Empowerment Network (YIEN), a pioneering organization focused on bridging Menstrual Health and Hygiene gaps and empowering adolescent girls and young women in the Kayunga district. Walter’s effrots have helped ensure increased access to menstrual hygine products, improving school enrollments and retention within his community. His profound commitment to sexual reproductive health and rights and gender equality is evident in YIEN’s extensive efforts to uplift voices and address the holistic needs of girls and women. Beyond his advocacy, Walter’s multifaceted talents as a photographer and community organizer have earned him notable recognitions and roles, including the International Citizen Service Program, and The Pollination Project, contributing to his sustained impact on human rights and community development in Uganda.
Kudakwashe Foya, Zimbabwe – Kudakwashe Foya, a dedicated teacher, researcher, and advocate from Zimbabwe, co-founded the LA Initiative to democratize education and professional development opportunities nationwide. She started teaching at 19 years old, strategically integrating digital tools, community interaction, and mentorship to empower students to address communal challenges. She has mentored impactful projects in notable events like the MIT Grand Hackathon and Merge Policython, mentoring over 15 projects that are working to solve global challenges in health and education. Her fervent advocacy for educational advancement has earned her recognition from eminent institutions like the DIANA Award, UNICEF Innocenti, and the Chegg & Varkey Foundation, underlining her significant contributions to global challenges in health and education. As a research fellow for the Say What Initiative, Kudakwashe continues to expand her influence, fostering development and positive change in Zimbabwe.
Our 2023 Winner - Hamza Haki EL KHARROUBI
Hamza Haki EL KHARROUBI is a dynamic changemaker from Morocco who leads innovative collaborations to tackle social and environmental inequities through his national NGO, training youth in social innovation. As a youth representative in his commune council and with Jeel Connect in the EU, he advocates for youth rights. A doctoral researcher in Eco-criticism, he contributes to UNESCO’s Youth As Researchers Team, focusing on climate adaptation strategies for the Arab world. As the Founder and CEO of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Technologies, he pioneers sustainable agricultural solutions, blending entrepreneurship, research, and civic engagement to address complex societal challenges.